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1 Background

1.1 Ecosystem background

Figure 1

A map of the east coast United States and Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Bluefish seasonal migrations are outlined on the map. Spring bluefish groups are located in the northern (Delaware to Massachusetts) and southern (North Carolina to Maryland) Mid Atlantic Bight. Bluefish in the northern MAB in the late spring to late fall overwinter in Florida if they were less than 45cm in length and overwinter offshore in the MAB if they were over 45cm in length. Bluefish in the southern MAB consist of both transients and residents. Bluefish found in southern Florida are mostly less than 45cm and have the highest abundance in winter. Spawning occurs in the Southern Atlantic Bight in the spring, in the MAB in the summer, and possibly in Florida in the fall and winter.

Figure 1. Conceptual model of bluefish seasonal migrations.

1.2 Socioeconomic background

Figure 2

Total annual recreational sales from Atlantic coastal states over 2014-2018 in billions of 2020 constant U.S. Dollars. Data obtained from the Fisheries Economics of the United States Reports (2014-2018). Values were adjusted using the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator. Values range from a low of around $13 billion in 2015 to just under $18 billion in 2018.

Figure 2. Total annual recreational sales from Atlantic coastal states over 2014-2018 in billions of 2020 constant U.S. Dollars. Data obtained from the Fisheries Economics of the United States Reports (2014-2018). Values were adjusted using the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator.

Figure 3

Total annual recreational sales by Atlantic Coastal state from 2014-2018 in millions of 2020 constant U.S. Dollars. Data obtained from the Fisheries Economics of the United States. Values were adjusted using the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator. East Florida, North Carolina and New Jersey had the highest sales over the time series.

Figure 3. Total annual recreational sales by Atlantic Coastal state from 2014-2018 in millions of 2020 constant U.S. Dollars. Data obtained from the Fisheries Economics of the United States. Values were adjusted using the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator.

Figure 4

Recreational bluefish catch from Atlantic Coastal states over 2010-2021. Data acquired from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022. Bluefish catch followed an overall decreasing trend over the time series.

Figure 4. Recreational bluefish catch from Atlantic Coastal states over 2010-2021. Data acquired from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 5

Recreational bluefish catch box plots from 2010-2021 by Atlantic coastal states. Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.North Carolina and Florida have the highest median recreational bluefish catch with median values of 10.6 and 9.8 million fish.

Figure 5. Recreational bluefish catch box plots from 2010-2021 by Atlantic coastal states. Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 6

Number of directed recreational bluefish trips from Atlantic coastal states (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022. The number of directed recreational bluefish trips off the Atlantic Coast are lowest in the last 4 years in the time series relative to the entire 11-year period .

Figure 6. Number of directed recreational bluefish trips from Atlantic coastal states (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 7

Proportion of regional recreational bluefish catch in number of fish by fishing mode (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.Over the past decade, recreational bluefish catch has been primarily caught by shore-based fishing efforts or on private/rental boats across the Atlantic Coast.

Figure 7. Proportion of regional recreational bluefish catch in number of fish by fishing mode (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 8

Proportion of total recreational bluefish catch by month grouping and region (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022. The season in which recreational bluefish are caught differs across the regions.

Figure 8. Proportion of total recreational bluefish catch by month grouping and region (2010-2021). Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022

Figure 9

Recreational bluefish catch as a percent of total recreational catch by region over 2010-2021. Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022. Bluefish catch, as a percent of total recreational catch, follows an overall decreasing trend from 2010 to 2021 along the Atlantic Coast.

Figure 9. Recreational bluefish catch as a percent of total recreational catch by region over 2010-2021. Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 10

Box plots of recreational bluefish catch as a percent of total recreational catch by sate over 2010-2021. Data source: Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022.

Figure 10. Box plots of recreational bluefish catch as a percent of total recreational catch by sate over 2010-2021. Data source: Data retrieved from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) query tool in January 2022. Conneticut has the hightes percent of bluefish catch relative to other species and New Hampshire the lowest.

2 Diet

Figure 11

Figure 11. Bluefish diet by decade (all regions and bluefish sizes) from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) bottom trawl survey, 1973-2020.

Figure 12

Figure 12. you haven’t written this yet!

Figure 13

Figure 13. you haven’t written this yet!

Figure 14

Figure 14. you haven’t written this yet!

Figure 15

Figure 15. you haven’t written this yet!

3 Environment and distribution

3.1 Eggs

3.1.1 EcoMon/MARMAP

Figure 16

Four maps showing coordinates where bluefish eggs were observed in the Northwest Atlantic in May, June, July, and August. In May, two tows collected bluefish eggs off of North Carolina, In June, 28 tows collected bluefish eggs between New Jersey and North Carolina. In July, 132 tows collected bluefish eggs between southern Cape Cod and North Carolina. In August, 53 tows collected bluefish eggs between Rhode Island and North Carolina.

Figure 16. Map of bluefish egg distribution in the Northwest Atlantic, as collected in the Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction (MARMAP) program (1977-1987) and inthe Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) program (1993 only). No eggs were collected in January through April or September through December.

Summary table
MONTH n_tows n_positive_tow total_n n_per_tow n_years n_positive_years mean_surface_temp n_temp mean_surface_sal n_sal
5 1681 2 876.0 0.5 12 2 19.9 876.0 35.3 2.5
6 996 28 1636.4 1.6 10 4 20.4 1636.4 31.6 551.3
7 966 132 10321.3 10.7 11 8 21.5 10321.3 31.0 3016.7
8 1183 53 3095.6 2.6 11 8 24.4 3095.6 32.6 32.3

3.2 Larvae

3.2.1 EcoMon/MARMAP

Figure 17

Six maps showing coordinates where bluefish larvae were observed in the Northwest Atlantic in April, May, June, July, August, and September. In April, 13 tows collected bluefish larvae between North Carolina and Florida. In May, 105 tows collected blufish larvae between New Jersey and Florida. In June, 218 tows collected bluefish larvae between Massachusetts and North Carolina. In July, 1010 tows collected bluefish larvae between Georges Bank and North Carolina. In August, 915 tows collected bluefish larvae between the Gulf of Maine and North Carolina. in September, 96 tows collected bluefish larvae between Long Island and North Carolina.

Figure 17. Map of bluefish larvae distribution in the Northwest Atlantic, as collected in the Herring and Sand Lance Program (1988-1994), Georges Bank Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics (1995-1999), MARMAP (1977-1987), and EcoMon (1992 – present). No larvae were collected in February or March, or October through December. There was one positive tow in January (not shown).

Summary table
MONTH n_tows n_positive_tow total_n n_per_tow n_years n_positive_years mean_surface_temp n_temp mean_surface_sal n_sal
1 1789 1 2.2 0.0 26 1 NA NA NA NA
4 3266 13 260.3 0.1 44 1 NA NA NA NA
5 3477 105 11913.1 3.4 38 11 21.9 10285.5 31.1 10285.5
6 3083 218 15961.1 5.2 34 17 22.3 9463.1 31.0 9919.8
7 1430 1010 46984.9 32.9 21 17 23.3 5376.5 31.7 5376.5
8 3011 915 18413.0 6.1 31 27 24.5 7522.9 31.6 7520.7
9 2210 96 631.5 0.3 43 19 23.8 564.1 32.2 564.1

3.3 Juveniles and adults

3.3.1 MRIP catch and CPUE

Figure 18

Four line plots showing catch metrics for five MRIP waves (March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December) in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The top plot shows the mean proportion of coastwide catch in each wave for each state. Maine and New Hampshire have proportions near zero in all months reported. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have the highest proportions in July/August (>0.05), and the lowest proportions in March/April and November/December (near zero). The second plot shows mean state catch in pounds, which follows a similar pattern to the mean proportion of coastwide catch. The bottom two plots show standardized and unstandardized CPUE, which has a maximum in September/October and a minimum in March/April and May/June.

Figure 18. Mean proportion of coastwide catch, mean state catch (lbs), standardized CPUE, and unstandardized CPUE for Northeast states in March through December.

Figure 19

Four line plots showing catch metrics for five MRIP waves (March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December) in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The top plot shows the mean proportion of coastwide catch in each wave for each state. Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia have proportions less than 0.1 in all months reported. New York and New Jersey have the highest proportions in May/June through September/October (>0.1), and the lowest proportions in March/April and November/December (<0.1). The second plot shows mean state catch in pounds, which follows a similar pattern to the mean proportion of coastwide catch. The bottom two plots show standardized and unstandardized CPUE. New York has the highest CPUEs in July/August and the lowest CPUEs in March/April and November/December. New Jersey and Virginia have relatively constant CPUEs throughout the year. Delaware and Maryland have the highest CPUEs in September/October and the lowest CPUEs in the other months.

Figure 19. Mean proportion of coastwide catch, mean state catch (lbs), standardized CPUE, and unstandardized CPUE for Mid Atlantic states in March through December.

Figure 20

Four line plots showing catch metrics for six MRIP waves (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The top plot shows the mean proportion of coastwide catch in each wave for each state. South Carolina and Georgia have proportions less than 0.1 in all months reported. North Carolina has the highest proportions in May/June and November/December(>0.25) and the lowest proportions in January/February and July/August (<0.1). Florida has the highest proportions in January through April and November/December (>0.45)and the lowest proportions in the other months (<0.1). The second plot shows mean state catch in pounds, which follows a similar pattern to the mean proportion of coastwide catch. The bottom two plots show standardized and unstandardized CPUE. North Carolina has the highest CPUEs out of all the states, and within North Carolina, the highest CPUEs occur in January through June and in November/December. South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida all have fairly constant CPUEs throughout the year.

Figure 20. Mean proportion of coastwide catch, mean state catch (lbs), standardized CPUE, and unstandardized CPUE for Southeast states in January through December.

3.3.2 NMFS bottom trawl

Figure 21

Twelve maps showing where small bluefish were observed in the Northwest Atlantic in every month of the year. No small bluefish were observed in January. In February, tows observed small bluefish off of North Carolina. In March, tows observed small bluefish between Virginia and South Carolina. In April, tows observed small bluefish between New Jersey and Florida. In May, tows observed small bluefish off of North Carolina. In June, tows observed small bluefish between Delaware and Maryland. In July, tows observed small bluefish between Georges Bank and North Carolina. In August, tows observed small bluefish between Massachusetts and North Carolina. In September, tows observed small bluefish between Massachusetts and North Carolina. In October, tows observed small bluefish between the Gulf of Maine and North Carolina. In November, tows observed small bluefish between Massachusetts and Florida. In December, tows observed small bluefish between North Carolina and South Carolina.

Figure 21. Map of small (<=30.3cm) bluefish distribution in the Northwest Atlantic, as collected in the NMFS bottom trawl survey, which has sampled most years since 1963.

Figure 22

Twelve maps showing where medium bluefish were observed in the Northwest Atlantic in every month of the year. No medium bluefish were observed in January. In February, tows observed medium bluefish between Delaware and North Carolina. In March, tows observed medium bluefish between New Jersey and North Carolina. In April, tows observed medium bluefish between New Jersey and North Carolina. In May, tows observed medium bluefish off of Long Island. No medium bluefish were observed in June. In July, tows observed medium bluefish between New Jersey and North Carolina. In August, tows observed medium bluefish between Massachusetts and North Carolina. In September, tows observed medium bluefish between Georges Bank and North Carolina. In October, tows observed medium bluefish between the Georges Bank and North Carolina. In November, tows observed medium bluefish between Maine and Florida. No medium bluefish were observed in December.

Figure 22. Map of medium (30.3-50.0cm) bluefish distribution in the Northwest Atlantic, as collected in the NMFS bottom trawl survey, which has sampled most years since 1963.

Figure 23

Twelve maps showing where large bluefish were observed in the Northwest Atlantic in every month of the year. No large bluefish were observed in January. In February, tows observed large bluefish between Georges Bank and North Carolina. In March and April, tows observed large bluefish between New Jersey and North Carolina. In May, tows observed large bluefish off of North Carolina. In June, tows observed large bluefish off of Maryland. In July, tows observed large bluefish between Georges Bank and New Jersey. In August, tows observed large bluefish between Georges Bank and Maryland. In September, tows observed large bluefish between Georges Bank and North Carolina. In October and November, tows observed large bluefish between Massachusetts Bay, Georges Bank, and North Carolina. No large bluefish were observed in December.

Figure 23. Map of large (>50.0cm) bluefish distribution in the Northwest Atlantic, as collected in the NMFS bottom trawl survey, which has sampled most years since 1963.

Summary table
Small bluefish
MONTH n_tows total_n n_per_tow mean_surface_temp n_temp mean_surface_sal n_sal
2 2381 2 0.0 13.9 2 35.2 2
3 8746 987 0.1 11.7 980 32.9 518
4 8252 200 0.0 17.0 198 35.1 94
5 1803 18 0.0 18.6 18 NA NA
6 123 18 0.1 19.9 18 NA NA
7 959 840 0.9 26.4 724 NA NA
8 1366 1418 1.0 24.0 1345 NA NA
9 7066 62129 8.8 21.5 50962 30.9 25825
10 8974 15643 1.7 18.8 12862 30.8 3667
11 3512 787 0.2 18.4 786 31.9 2
12 243 6 0.0 14.4 6 NA NA
Medium bluefish
MONTH n_tows total_n n_per_tow mean_surface_temp n_temp mean_surface_sal n_sal
2 2381 86 0.0 10.3 79 33.9 78
3 8746 642 0.1 11.7 493 34.4 386
4 8252 76 0.0 8.5 75 33.7 75
5 1803 1 0.0 8.4 1 32.7 1
7 959 23 0.0 25.9 21 NA NA
8 1366 34 0.0 22.2 28 NA NA
9 7066 2728 0.4 21.5 2364 31.1 1594
10 8974 836 0.1 18.1 711 31.7 206
11 3512 76 0.0 18.9 76 NA NA
Large bluefish
MONTH n_tows total_n n_per_tow mean_surface_temp n_temp mean_surface_sal n_sal
2 2381 62 0.0 10.2 61 33.7 59
3 8746 264 0.0 11.3 184 34.6 137
4 8252 29 0.0 10.3 27 33.8 23
5 1803 2 0.0 18.8 2 NA NA
6 123 1 0.0 21.5 1 NA NA
7 959 59 0.1 17.6 58 NA NA
8 1366 70 0.1 17.2 70 NA NA
9 7066 908 0.1 18.8 703 31.9 496
10 8974 1733 0.2 15.6 1507 32.2 718
11 3512 66 0.0 15.4 62 NA NA

3.3.3 Bluefish length cohorts

3.3.3.1 Observations by month

Figure 24

Two tile plots with month on the x-axis and state on the y-axis. The plot on the left shows data on bluefish under 15cm. These fish were observed in New Hampshire in July through September, in Massachusetts in August and September, in Rhode Island and Connecticut in September and October, in New York in May through October, in New Jersey and Maryland in October, in Virginia in Ocrober and November, in North Carolina in April through July and October and November, and in the NEFSC North trawl in September and October. No fish were observed in Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, offshore samples from New Jersey to Virginia, or the NEFSC South trawl. The plot on the right shows data on bluefish between 15-32cm. These fish were observed in Massachusetts in August and September, in Rhode Island in July, September, and October, in Connecticur in September and October, in New York and New Jersey in June through October, in Delaware and Maryland in Ocrober, in Virginia in April through November, in the NEFSC North trawl in September and October, in North Carolina in every month of the year, in South Carolina in April and May and August through October, in Georgia in April, in Florida in January through May, July, and September through December, and in the NEFSC South trawl in September. No fish were observed in New Hampshire or in offshore samples from New Jersey to Virginia.

Figure 24. Summary of months when bluefish <15cm and between 15-30.3cm have been found in all coastal Atlantic states and in federal surveys. Bluefish are marked as observed if the month had more than 20 fish observed over 3 or more years.

3.3.3.2 New Hampshire

Figure 25

Eight density plots showing bluefish fork length on the x-axis and count on the y-axis in the years 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2018. Count bell curves represent the number of fish collected at each size interval in each month. In years with more than one month of samples, the peak of the bell curve increases by approximately 2-3cm per month, showing cohort growth.

Figure 25. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the New Hampshire Juvenile Finfish Survey. Only years with more than 20 fish collected are shown.

3.3.3.3 New York

Figure 26

22 density plots showing bluefish fork length on the x-axis and count on the y-axis in years between 1987-2014. Count bell curves represent the number of fish collected at each size interval. Samples taken in 2006 and earlier were collected in June, while samples taken in 2010 and later were collected in July.

Figure 26. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the New York Peconic Bay Small Mesh Survey. Years with more than 20 fish collected are shown. Bimodal cohort length peaks are visible in 1993, 2000, 2001, and 2006.

Figure 27

Figure 27. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the New York Western Long Island Seine Survey. Years with more than 20 fish collected are shown. Bimodal cohort length peaks are visible in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

3.3.3.4 South Carolina DNR Coastral Trawl

Figure 28

Density plots showing bluefish fork length on the x-axis and count on the y-axis in the years 2002-2010 in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Density bell curves represent the proportion of fish collected at each size interval in each month. North Carolina is the only state with data in every year; other states lack data in 3-5 of the 9 years.

Figure 28. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the South Carolina DNR Coastal Trawl samples taken in North Carolina. Years with more than 20 fish collected are shown. Bimodal cohort length peaks are visible in North Carolina in 2002 and 2005.

3.3.3.5 NEAMAP

Figure 29

Figure 29. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the NEAMAP survey. Years with more than 20 fish collected are shown. Bimodal cohort length peaks are visible in several years in some states.

3.3.3.6 NMFS bottom trawl

Figure 30

Figure 30. Length distributions of bluefish under 30.3cm by month in the NMFS bottom trawl fall survey. Years with more than 20 fish collected are shown. Bimodal cohort length peaks are visible in several years, including 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2006. Note, after 2008, inshore strata were no longer sampled in the NMFS survey, and were instead sampled in the NEAMAP survey.

4 Indicator methods

Figure 31

A conceptual model of the ecosystem factors that influence multiple life stages of bluefish. Eggs benefit from temperatures between 16-28C and salinity above 29ppt. Larvae benefit from temperatures between 17-26C and salinities above 30ppt. It is not known what affects pelagic juveniles. Estuarine juveniles benefit from warm core rings, wind and Ekman transport inshore, availability of piscine prey species, and salinities above 29ppt. Estuarine juveniles are harmed by temperatures below 12C and dissolved oxygen below 2 mg/L. Adults benefit from prey availability and good body condition. Adults are harmed by predation. Spawning benefits from temperatures above 18C, temperatures near 22C, and salinities near 29ppt.

Figure 31. Life history conceptual model of bluefish.

4.1 Map of geography used for climate calculations

Figure 32

A map of the east coast of the United States with a highlighted region in the coastal ocean. The highlighted region is latitudinally bounded at approximately Cape Cod and northern South Carolina. It is longitudinally bounded by the coastline and the shelf break.

Figure 32. Map of the Central Atlantic region used in calculating spatially averaged indicators.

5 ESP time series

5.1 Ecosystem Indicators

5.1.1 Distribution

Figure 33

Three line plots showing the values of distribution indicators over time with year on the x-axis and indicator value on the y-axis. The top plot shows the center of gravity (northings) of small bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time. The middle plot shows the center of gravity (northings) of medium bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time. The bottom plot shows the center of gravity (northings) of large bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time.

Figure 33. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1991 - present: (a) center of gravity (northings, km) of small (<=30.3cm), (b) medium (30.3-50.0cm), and (c) large (>=50.0cm) bluefish as modeled by VAST. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

Figure 34

Three line plots showing the values of distribution indicators over time with year on the x-axis and indicator value on the y-axis. The top plot shows the center of gravity (eastings) of small bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time. The middle plot shows the center of gravity (eastings) of medium bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time. The bottom plot shows the center of gravity (eastings) of large bluefish. This indicator is increasing over time.

Figure 34. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1991 - present: (a) center of gravity (eastings, km) of small (<=30.3cm), (b) medium (30.3-50.0cm), and (c) large (>=50.0cm) bluefish as modeled by VAST. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

5.1.2 Climate

Figure 35

Three line plots showing the values of temperature-related climate indicators over time with year on the x-axis and indicator value on the y-axis. The top plot shows the first day of the year when the bluefish region reaches 18C. There is no trend over time. The middle plot shows the last day of the year when the bluefish region is 18C. This indicator is increasing over time. The bottom plot shows the total number of days above 18C. This indicator is increasing over time.

Figure 35. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) first day of the year when the mean temperature of the central Atlantic region is warmer than 18C, (b) last day of the year when the mean temperature of the central Atlantic is warmer than 18C, and (c) number of days when at least 75% of the central Atlantic region is warmer than 18C. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

Figure 36

Three line plots showing the values of temperature-related climate indicators over time with year on the x-axis and indicator value on the y-axis. The top plot shows the proportion of the bluefish region between 18-25.6C. There is no trend over time. The middle plot shows the proportion of the bluefish region over 25.6C. This indicator is increasing over time. The bottom plot shows the proportion of the bluefish region under 18C. This indicator is decreasing over time.

Figure 36. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) proportion of the central Atlantic colder than 18C in July, (b) proportion of the central Atlantic between 18-25.6C in July, and (c) proportion of the central Atlantic warmer than 15.6C in July. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

Figure 37

Three line plots showing the values of wind-related climate indicators over time with year on the x-axis and indicator value on the y-axis. The top plot shows the mean crossshore wind velocity in April and May. There is no trend over time. The bottom plot shows the mean alongshore wind velocity in April and May. There is no trend over time.

Figure 37. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) mean crossshore wind in the central Atlantic in April and May, and (b) mean alongshore wind in the central Atlantic in April and May. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

5.1.3 Natural mortality

Figure 38

Four line plots showing bluefish condition over time. The top plot shows large bluefish condition in the spring. The trend is increasing over time. The second plot shows large bluefish condition in the fall. The trend is increasing over time. The third plot shows medium bluefish condition in the spring. There is no trend over time. The bottom plot shows medium bluefish condition in the fall. There is no trend over time.

Figure 38. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) spring condition of large (>=50.0cm) bluefish, (b) fall condition of large (>=50.0cm) bluefish, (c) spring condition of medium (30.3-50.0cm) bluefish, and (d) fall condition of medium (30.3-50.0cm) bluefish. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

Figure 39

Three line plots showing bluefish condition over time and mako shark B/Bmsy over time. The top plot shows small bluefish condition in the spring. There is no trend over time. The middle plot shows small bluefish condition in the fall. There is no trend over time. The bottom plot shows mako shark B/Bmsy. The trend is decreasing over time.

Figure 39. Selected ecosystem indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) spring condition of small (<=30.3cm) bluefish, (b) fall condition of small (<=30.3cm) bluefish, and (c) shortfin mako shark B/Bmsy in the North Atlantic. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

5.2 Socioeconomic Indicators

5.2.1 Recreational

Figure 40

Top: A line graph showing the number of directed recreational bluefish trips from 1985-2021, which fluctuated over time, reaching a series high in 1991and series low in 2018. Second: A line graph showing the proportion of directed recreational bluefish trips relative to other directed trips from 1985-2021. The proportion of bluefish trips follows an overall decreasing pattern after 1990 and remains historically low after the year 2000. Third: A line graph showing total recreational bluefish catch in number of fish from 1985-2021. Total recreational bluefish catch fluctuates over time with extreme highs in the early 80s, extreme lows in the 90s, above average catch after 2005 but overall decreases after 2014. Bottom: A line graph showing total recreational bluefish landings (lbs) from 1981-2021 where total landings follow an overall decreasing trend and remain below average from 1991-2021.

Figure 40. Selected socioeconomic indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 1985 - present: (a) number of directed recreational bluefish trips from, (b) proportion of directed recreational bluefish trips relative to other directed trip, (c) total recreational bluefish catch in number of fish, (d) total recreational bluefish landings (lbs). Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

5.2.2 Commercial

Figure 41

Top: A line graph showing the number of commercial vessels which landed bluefish from 2000-2021. The number of vessels landing bluefish generally decreased over time, with a steep decline after 2017. Second: A line graph showing commercial bluefish landings (lbs.) from 2000-2021 which follow an overall decreasing trend, reaching a series low in 2021. Middle: A line graph showing ex-vessel bluefish prices in 2021 constant U.S. dollars from 2000-2021. Fourth: A line graph showing total annual commercial bluefish revenue in 2021 constant U.S. dollars from 2000-2021. Bluefish revenues fluctuated over the time series, reaching a series high in 2008 and an all-time low in 2021. Bottom: Line graph showing the price of average annual Ultra-low-sulfur number 2 diesel fuel prices in 2021 constant U.S. dollars from 2007-2021. Prices fluctuate over the time series, with values well above the average during 2011-2013 and prices falling below the average during the last 7 years of the time series.

Figure 41. Selected socioeconomic indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 2000 - present: (a) number of commercial vessels landing bluefish, (b) commercial bluefish landings (lbs.), (c) ex-vessel bluefish prices (2021 constant U.S. dollars per lb), (d) total annual commercial bluefish revenue in 2021 constant U.S. dollars, and (e) average annual ultra-low-sulfur number 2 diesel fuel prices (2021 constant U.S. dollars) from 2007-2021. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

5.2.3 Community

Figure 42

Top: a line graph showing average annual recreational engagement scores for the Northeast region from 2009-2019. Scores fluctuate over time, with a series high in 2016 and series low in 2011. Middle: a line graph showing average annual recreational engagement scores for the Mid-Atlantic region from 2009-2019. Scores fluctuate over time, with a series high in 2017 and series low in 2015. Bottom: a line graph showing average annual recreational engagement scores for the Southeast region from 2009-2019. Scores fluctuate over time, with lower values prior to 2015 and values above average from 2017-2019.

Figure 42. Selected socioeconomic indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 2009-2019: (a) average annual recreational engagement scores for the Northeast region, (b) average annual recreational engagement scores for the Mid-Atlantic region, and (c) average annual recreational engagement scores for the Southeast region. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

Figure 43

Top: a line graph showing average annual recreational reliance scores for the Northeast region from 2009-2019. There is an overall increasing trend with scores steadily increasing after 2014 to a series high in 2019. Middle: a line graph showing average annual recreational reliance scores for the Mid-Atlantic region from 2009-2019. Scores fluctuate over time dropping significantly from 2014 to 2015 but then mostly increase from 2015-2019. Bottom: a line graph showing average annual recreational reliance scores for the Southeast region from 2009-2019. Scores are consistent from 2009-2014, rise in 2015 then sharply decline in 2014, falling well below the average score. Scores rise again in 2017 but fall drastically from 2017-2019.

Figure 43. Selected socioeconomic indicators for bluefish with time series ranging from 2009-2019: (a) average annual recreational reliance scores for the Northeast region, (b) average annual recreational reliancescores for the Mid-Atlantic region, and (c) average annual recreational reliancescores for the Southeast region. Upper and lower solid green horizontal lines are plus and minus one standard deviation of the time series mean. Dotted green horizontal line is the mean of the time series.

6 Tables

6.1 Indicator summary table

6.2 Indicator correlations

6.2.1 Ecosystem indicators and recruitment

6.2.2 Ecosystem indicators and SSB

6.2.3 Socioeconomic indicators and catch